Two Male Heads, Two Arms with a Recorder, and a Child

Jean Antoine Watteau, 1705 - 1716

At the lower right of this study sheet, Watteau depicted two arms and hands holding a recorder. With red chalk alone, the artist exaggerated the bony fingers just enough to capture the delicate tension necessary for playing the instrument. The arms were likely added afterwards to give context to the hands, which explains the anatomically implausible distance between the shoulders.

  • Artwork typedrawing
  • Object numberRP-T-1961-96
  • Dimensionsheight 201 mm x width 252 mm
  • Physical characteristicsrood, zwart en wit krijt

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • Two Male Heads, Two Arms with a Recorder, and a Child
    • Crouching Child, Two Male Heads, One Wearing a Beret, Arms and Hands of A Recorder-Player
  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-T-1961-96

  • Description

    Studieblad met twee mannenhoofden, twee armen waarvan de handen een blokfluit vasthouden, en een kruipend kind. De mannenhoofden zijn van acteurs en dateren uit ca. 1716.


Creation

  • Creation

    draftsman (artist): Jean Antoine Watteau

  • Dating

    1705 - 1716

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    rood, zwart en wit krijt

  • Dimensions

    height 201 mm x width 252 mm


This work is about

  • Subject


Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Mr and Mrs De Bruijn-van der Leeuw Bequest, Muri, Switzerland

  • Acquisition

    bequest 1961

  • Copyright


Documentation


Related objects

  • Related


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